Oregon Certified Nursing Assistant State Practice Exam

What is the primary means through which HIV can be transmitted?

1. Telephones

2. Toilets

3. Hugs

4. Blood

The correct answer is: Blood

The primary means through which HIV can be transmitted is through blood. HIV, or Human Immunodeficiency Virus, primarily spreads through contact with infected bodily fluids. Blood is a significant carrier of the virus, and transmission can occur through activities that involve sharing needles or equipment used for injection, blood transfusions with contaminated blood, or through open wounds in situations where blood from an infected person comes into contact with another person's bloodstream. While bodily fluids like semen and vaginal secretions can also carry the virus, direct exposure to blood presents the highest risk for transmission. Understanding this is crucial in preventing the spread of HIV and ensuring appropriate measures are taken in health care and community settings. Other options like telephones, toilets, and hugs do not facilitate the transmission of HIV, as the virus does not survive well outside the body or spread through casual contact.